THE BASICS
Name: Lorraine Lacey Jarrell a.k.a Rainey Lacey
Age: 29
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
Role in C’ville Ballet: Guest Choreographer
FAVORITES…
Food: Panang Curry
Color: Green
Book: A Voice In The Wind by Francine Rivers
Movie: Amadeus
Musician/Band: Sarah Jarosz, The Mural and The Mint, Dean Martin, Radiohead, Akon
Quotation: “But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.” -Vincent Van Gogh
Spot in C’ville: Walking the Downtown Mall
Business/Store in C’ville: South Street Brewery – best nachos ever!
NERDY BALLET QUESTIONS
Tell us about your dance background and training:
I grew up in my mother’s performing arts studio Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts learning music, dance, and theater. I studied a variety of dance forms because my teachers emphasized the necessity of being a well-rounded dancer. I became fascinated with the performer’s character in space and therefore studied theatre in college. Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in acting I pursued an acting career full of Shakespeare, original works, clowning, and puppetry. All the while, I knew that I was receiving these tools so that I could access dance and choreography in a different way.
What genres of dance do you enjoy?
I enjoy the challenge of Ballet, the strength of Modern, the excitement of Jazz, the expressiveness of Hip-Hop, and the pizazz of Musical Theatre styles.
What kind of pointe shoe do you wear?
I try to avoid wearing pointe shoes if I can!
Favorite Dancers or Role Models:
Choreographers who influence me find a way of crossing dance and theatre. Jerome Robbins, Bill T. Jones, Monica Bill Barnes all tie together a certain amount of theatricality in their work.
Do you have a favorite ballet:
Does West Side Story count as a ballet? Okay well then, Jerome Robbins’ “Fancy Free,” the ballet “On The Town” was based on. And pretty much anything by Jessica Lang.
What’s your favorite ballet/dance step:
It’s a three way tie: faille, ron de jambe, and chassé
Tell us, why do you dance?
I dance because God gave me the talent to do so. I dance because it is a way to communicate without words. I dance because it’s exercising without feeling like I’m exercising. I dance because it crosses over all barriers and reaches out to people in a powerful way. I dance because I like to get down with people.
OTHER
What other jobs/activities/academic pursuits are you involved in? I’m currently returning for graduate school at Hollins University for my MFA in choreography. I teach exclusively at Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts located in Midlothian, Virginia. I’m also training for a triathlon sprint that will be dedicated to my husband while he’s overseas.
What other talents or passions do you have? I love to play the fiddle and I’m trying to read the entire Bible this year.
Anything else you’d like to express: Come see Charlottesville Ballet’s null on April 16th! It will be the world premiere of my new work “A Letter To My Love” based on women during World War II. Also, check out my website www.RaineyLacey.com for more choreography and information on upcoming projects.
Rainey’s full professional bio can be found on her website at www.RaineyLacey.com.
Thanks for enjoying our “Meet the Artist” segment–
and look for a new Charlottesville Ballet artist profile next month!